‘Do you hear what I hear?’

Intriguing the eerie calm and silence in the political landscape going into Nov. 4. But one could sense the palpable grim tidings of the public mood in the troubled waters of life in paradise.

How do you tell the poor folks in the villages to “stop being poor” when you handed them the unsolicited trophy of hardship in subterranean poverty?

There’s frustration in the diminishing significance of offices being sought by irrelevant political dinosaurs for trashing the participation of “we the people” in recent past. However, this arrogance was heard loud and clear and embedded indelibly in the minds of responsible voters. It would be soundly reciprocated this November!

The younger voters comprising of more than 60 percent of the total 18K electorate would make the generational shift for younger leadership. You could feel it in their piercing eyes.

Our simple folks are looking for people with gravitas—integrity—who who can tell the truth in forthright fashion. It’s all about leadership by example. Rather than engaging in expensive luncheons paid for by taxpayers, he brings his own lunch and eats with his people in their village kitchens.

They want someone who is humble yet firm to lead the crowd lost in the jungle of confusion. He’d climb a tree to see their whereabouts, saying, “Wrong direction let’s go this way!” Wouldn’t it be comforting to have someone with the real ability to listen by assessing our expressions focusing on our strengths? It’s one-on-one communications with “we the people!”

As we explore our aspirations on leadership qualities, it is equally our responsibility to participate proactively in the emplacement of our vision of the future forthwith. This can’t take second fiddle or place. Let’s try the competency of our younger political trade horses teeming with energy and enthusiasm to do the right things by doing them right!

Occasionally, I struggle to understand the politics of “everything is politics” between dysfunctional NMI and DC. It’s frustrating how politics could literally derail opportunities that would have improved the lot of the people in our community. This happens when political dinosaurs are beholden to special interests.

A lot has to do with the lack of focus to do the right thing by doing it right! How do you bring policymakers up to speed on issues of substance? Does it matter to them? Nah! Not for as long as they collect their biweekly loot from taxpayers! This must end forthwith!

I’ve also been unjustly vilified for my views relating to leadership or fiscal crisis now seriously under life support system. It’s nihilistic ad hominem showing percipiency deficit by shallow critics.

Moreover, I never pay attention to malice that is adequately explained by stupidity. Voters aren’t ready for another dress rehearsal singing the same old tired song and dance. The powerful voice of change has gotten louder by the day! “Do you hear what I hear?”

Spending within our means
Buddy Magoo is very unhappy. He wasn’t in a conversational mood this morning. I’d poke him to see why the doom and gloom demeanor. Even his smile was guardedly sparse.

Said he, “Braddah, retirement is broke, CUC is broke, CHC is broke, and I am broke too!” I figure this isn’t one time when serious explanation would work. So I danced into humor.

“You see, braddah, they know that when you go to the store with one dollar you can only spend one dollar.” He nodded in approval.

“Are you saying our government spent more than a dollar?” he retorted. I explained that for the most part, its spending habit is forced by taking on more obligations than necessary like paying over 2,500 public sector employees.

“Why can’t they cut the public payroll so taxpayers don’t have to endure anymore wasteful spending than what they are today?” he asked. But in an election year that would be political taboo.

“Hell, if you don’t have the money why don the badge of courage in bankruptcy?” By this time it was getting warmer even though we were sitting near his dirty kitchen outside. I figure it’s time to go home. He was shaking his head, puzzled. “If you only have a dollar, so spend only a dollar!” I was like, “Yep! Go tell the politicians on Crapital Hill!”

Disposing of land leases
We engage in aimless wandering how the Marpi (Marianas Resort) land should be disposed of. Politicians have even ventured braving the suspect statement that the decision should be based on “what’s in the best interest of the NMI.” Apparently the spout is premised and limited to dollar figures, nothing else. Nice try!

Evidently, what’s in the “best interest of the NMI?” Can any of you coherently articulate this empty assertion so Tan Maria and Tun Jose can understand it? Is this something you could explain with integrity mindful of the indigenous people’s traditional relationship with the land?

Interesting disinterest
Understandably, PSS wants an increase in the percentage of the annual budget earmarked in advance for expenditure. This is a dangerous trend—spending public funds without critical review how taxpayers’ money is disposed—that should have alerted policymakers to slam the brakes forthwith!

But none of the members has seen fit to question why the gradual emasculation of a constitutional authority solely reserved for the House of Representatives. Would members be agreeable if I were to place the balance in an initiative permanently removing its authority to appropriate an annual budget?

Is the silence one of fear or just what is it and could any of you reason with us on this score? It’s the power of the purse, a constitutional authority solely reserved for the HORs. Isn’t it also true that all appropriations must begin in the House? Or has your interest diminished to “disinterest?” It’s your authority. What’s your reasoning for the obvious disinterest? Is your troubling silence mangled in the lack of understanding, therefore inability to articulate the beast?